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| Tuesday, November 6, 2012, Chandigarh, India
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Admn proposes Rs 5 lakh lease amount for Chandigarh Club
A senior official of the UT Administration said they had finalised the lease amount. The new rate would be applicable after the UT Administrator's nod. The administration had leased out the Sports Centre in Sector 1 to Chandigarh Club in 1957 for Rs 50 a month. Thereafter on two occasions, the lease amount was revised in 1971 and 1982. The club paid a monthly rent of Rs 8,320 till January 1, 1993. The rent was revised in 2000 to Rs 2.08 lakh per month with retrospective effect from 1993. The club filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the revision of rent. It was assessed again at Rs 1.08 lakh for the period after January 1993. Then in 2005, a new lease was signed after the direction of the high court with rent of Rs 1.08 lakh fixed for five years plus five percent increase every year. Sources revealed that now Chandigarh Club would also have to pay arrears of the past two years as the new lease amount would be effective into force from 2010. Chandigarh Club president Sandeep Sahni said they were expecting a reasonable hike in lease amount. He urged the administration to take a considerate view before finalising the lease amount. All clubs on admn radar After the controversy of Central Club, Sector 9, which was recently opened after the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, all clubs are on the radar of the UT Administration. As there was a huge difference in the lease amount of various clubs compared to their area, the UT Administration is now trying to frame a uniform policy for all clubs, which were on lease in Chandigarh.
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High Court's respite to Chandigarh Golf Club
Taking up a petition filed by Chandigarh Golf Club through senior lawyer Anand Chhibbar, the High Court also issued notices to Brig Sukhdev Singh (Retd) for January 10. The impugned order dated October 8 was passed by the CIC while taking up the appeal titled "Brig Sukhdev Singh (Retd) versus Chandigarh Golf Club. Appearing on the petitioner's behalf, Chhibbar asserted that the CIC has "erred in taking a myopic and hyper-technical view of the provisions laid down under Section 2 (h) of the Right to Information Act, 2005." Chhibbar argued that Chandigarh Golf Club does not fall within the laid down parameters and hence cannot be considered to fall within the purview and definition of the public authority. He asserted that Chandigarh Golf Club was not a commercial establishment. Rather, it's a social establishment catering to the welfare of the members. "Therefore, to consider Chandigarh Golf Club on a par with other commercial establishments and categorising it in a manner whereby commercial rates should prevail in itself is an extremely myopic viewpoint, he contended. In its petition, the Club submitted: "The governmental control would mean that the government has a direct interference in the day to day functioning of Chandigarh Golf Club, which is not the case in the present matter. The three serving IAS officers are nominated to the managing committee keeping in mind their expertise and experience in the field of administration. The presence of these members is merely to facilitate smooth functioning of the management by utilising their expertise in the field of administration. Since all decisions are taken by way of majority vote among fifteen members, no direct or indirect control of the government can be said to be prevalent." The petition added: "The land is not gifted/granted to the society running Chandigarh Golf Club by the President of India, and neither have any financial grants been received for setting up or running the Chandigarh Golf Club." The Chief Information Commissioner in his order had held that the club was being indirectly financed and controlled by the Chandigarh Administration. Hence, it is considered as a public authority. The Chief Information Commissioner had held that subsidised rent given by the club could be termed as the indirect financial assistance provided by the government.
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No clean bill of health for city dispensaries
Chandigarh, November 5 The situation is no different at many other civil dispensaries in the city, where the staff has to fetch water from the neighbourhood. Water supply is missing in the dispensaries both in Sector 26 and Sector 40. A quick survey conducted by Chandigarh Tribune revealed the poor condition of five of the civil dispensaries, one each in Sector 40, Dadu Majra, Sector 45, Sector 26 and Sector 33. While the lack of hygiene and regular attendance of doctors is a common problem at the dispensaries, the fire extinguisher at the Sector 45 civil dispensary has already expired. This is the state of affairs at the five dispensaries despite tall claims of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation and the UT Health Department that they are ensuring "high quality" primary health services in the city. These civil dispensaries are without basic facilities like water, medicine and regular attendance of doctors. What are the problems Due to the absence of water supply, sanitation is a casualty at in the Sector 26 and Sector 40 civil dispensaries. While an empty water tank has been placed over the roof of the civil dispensary in Dadu Majra, the pipelines for its connection with taps are missing. In fact, the taps, which the MC claims to have installed in wash basis and the toilet at the dispensary, are also missing. Even the toilet seat at the dispensary is missing. Wild growth of grass has blocked the entry to the Sector 40 dispensary. Also, there is no seating arrangement for patients. "The patients have to stand outside the dispensary till their turn comes," said an official at the dispensary. Requesting anonymity, another official at the Sector 26 dispensary said the doctors sit only for three hours a day and attend to patients only thrice a week. Also, as the height of the boundary walls of the Sector 26 dispensary has been increased, as were being done nearly all other dispensaries three years ago, the lids of all the three manholes at the dispensary have been stolen. The gutters emanate foul smell. An official at the dispensary said a patient fell near the entry of the dispensary a few months ago after his leg got stuck in the open gutter. Blame game on The patients also face difficulty in availing basic medicines, for fever and cold, at the dispensaries as officials of the UT Health Department and MC keep on passing the buck for ensuring regular supply. While the MC officials say the supply of medicines remains poor from Health Department, the latter says that it is the responsibility of the MC to seek supply of medicine. Director, Health Services, Dr Rajiv Vadera said: "Whenever the MC writes to us, we ensure that the medicines are supplied without delay." However, sources said the conditions of all 20 civil dispensaries in the city has worsened ever since the charge of these health institutions was transferred to the MC from the UT Administration in September 2010.
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Potholed roads, defunct streetlights speak a thousand words
Mohali, November 5 The roads are potholed and uneven surface exposes the apathetic attitude of the authorities towards the maintenance of these roads. "The authorities are busy re-carpeting the main roads in the town, but nobody seems to be bothered about our plight," said Rajesh Sharma, who works in a factory at Phase VIII. He added that due to potholes on the roads, accidents took place everyday. Several mishaps have occurred on these roads in the past, but the authorities have failed to learn any lesson from the past. Even streetlights have been lying non-functional. There are a few roads where the authorities are yet to install streetlights. Situation is no better in other phases. The road separating Phase 10 and Phase 11 needs repairs. Similarly, the slip roads are the most neglected ones. "The officials get the roads constructed but when it comes to maintaining these, they choose to look the other way. About 80 per cent of the slip roads in the town are in a state of neglect. All slip roads on the main road leading from Balongi to Mohali need to be re-carpeted," said Joginder Singh, a resident of Phase IIIB2.
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Recently re-carpeted roads aggravate commuters' woes
Chandigarh, November 5 Recently, the shopkeepers of Sector 9 had registered a complaint in this regard. They stated that a road re-carpeted in the parking lot of the market was not levelled. They requested the authorities to solve the problem as it would lead to waterlogging during rainy season, putting commuters to inconvenience. Even on the internal road of Sector 23, which is re-carpeted recently, the level of the road is much higher than the houses located on the roadside. MC Chief Engineer SS Bidda said the officials inspected the roads before getting these re-carpeted and as far as scratching was concerned, it was done only where it was required. He stated that after inspecting the Sector 22 parking lot, a pilot project was launched to scratch the road before starting the re-carpeting work. He stated that if the technology became successful, it would be followed in other parts of the city as well. He said last year on the recommendation of UT Adviser KK Sharma, the corporation had invited a Hyderabad-based company to reuse the raw material for re-carpeting of the roads. But the project was shelved as the cost of the re-carpeting was around 40 per cent higher than the existing cost and the company required 100km lengthy road to re-carpet it in one go. Ex-chief engineer of the UT Administration Puranjit Singh said the authorities should promote the technology of recycling the raw material of roads by scratching these as it would help in decreasing the cost and also resolve the issue of non-availability of raw material in the market. He said roads must be inspected before starting the re-carpeting work. MC Commissioner VP Singh urged the officials to adopt the technology.
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public
Hearing
Chandigarh, November 5 Charanjiv Singh, president, Diwakar Sahoonja, chief patron and Vinod Joshi, chairman, building bylaws committee, demanded that the Administration should reconsider the issue of display and sales on the first floor as permissible business. Besides that they also demanded that misuse charges of Rs 500 per sq feet per month should be rolled back. On this, Patil asked Finance Secretary VK Singh and Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Shayin to look into the matter. Advocate Ajay Jagga said that few hotels in Chandigarh were adding service charges in the bill, which was illegal. On this, Patil asked the officers to examine and report the matter to him. Jagga said that the Administration on the directions of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs had declared that the practice was illegal, but many hotels and restaurants were still levying service charges ranging between 5 per cent and 10 per cent in addition to other taxes. Lt. Col. JS Panag (Retired), President of Army Welfare Housing Cooperation Society, requested that completion certificate should be granted to owners. Patil asked the officers concerned not to put conditions like solar energy and rain harvesting on AWHO flats. He said that here should not be any hindrance in issuing defence personnel completion certificates, as they sacrificed their lives for the country without any conditions. In another complaint, Mohinder Singh Sethi, president, Plot Holders Association, Sector 9, said that the Community Centre in Sector 9, Chandigarh, had been converted into the Central Club, which was limited only to members. He further alleged that the club had become a gambling den and a bar was also running at the club. Responding on this, Patil asked the officers concerned to look into the matter and take steps as per the law. Denying all such allegations, Vinod Talwar, president, Central Club, said that the officials of the UT Administration could conduct surprise visit there and then they would know the reality. Applicant was not called for the darbar Om Prakash, resident of Hallo Majra, who was allegedly manhandled by Patil's security staff at the last public hearing session, also turned up on Monday at the UT secretariat. He was accompanied by his friend Kamal Kishore, an IT professional, who was wearing an "Anna Cap". Prakash had come to meet the UT Advisor. On reaching the venue, DSP Ashish Kapoor met him and heard his grievances. He said that despite submitting application for Monday's darbar, he was not called for the session.
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Special train chugs on Chandigarh-Delhi route
Panchkula, November 5 "The train has six general coaches and nine sleeper class bogies. It will reach Ambala at 4.20 pm" said a senior official at the railway station. The commuters were a harassed lot since there were long waiting lists for trains running on the route. The train was started to facilitate the movement of passengers. "It is a good initiative on the part of the railway authorities to start the train on the route. I have to go back to Delhi and was not getting any seat on any of the trains. Now that I have a train to board I am relieved," said Farah Sharma, who hails from Delhi and is studying in Chandigarh. Ragini Singh, another resident said, "Even if one wants to take a flight, he/she has to reach Delhi first. I have to go to Singapore for a wedding and so far I have not been able to get a reservation on a Delhi-bound train but now, I will book a seat on the train." A few passengers boarded the train The train went to Delhi almost empty, as many people did not know about the special Chandigarh- Delhi train that was to start on Monday, said an official at the railway station.
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Head constable found drunk on duty, suspended
Chandigarh, November 5 The medical examination of the head constable confirmed the presence of alcohol in his blood and his suspension orders were issued today. A Daily Diary Report has been registered at the Sector 11 police station. "In view of the dereliction of duty being a member of the disciplined force, HC Sukhbir Singh is placed under suspension and sent to Police Lines Sector-26," read the suspension orders issued today.
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Six found unconscious
Chandigarh, November 5 Two others were their relatives and they were identified as Raghuvir and Ratna. The police said they were residing in a shanty in an open ground near Saini Bhawan where a wedding was organised.
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IT raids at hotels in Pinjore, P'kula
Panchkula, November 5 The assistant taxation commissioner conducted the search at the hotel in Pinjore, whereas two Income Tax officers conducted the search in Panchkula.
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Raids at sweets shops The Food and Supplies Department, lead by SDM, East, Kashish Mittal, conducted raid at sweet shops in Sector 19 on Monday. The shops raided, included Kesri Sweets and Nanak Sweets. The officials have seized samples of sweets which will now be sent for examination. The SDM said, "The area used for preparation of sweets was found to be unhygienic. There were flies all around and eatables were not covered. The items have been seized and sent for examination to the laboratory." Free classes Sri Sri Gyan Vikas Kendra is organising a seven-day free class on art of happiest living from November 5 to 11 at Shri Digamber Jain Mandir, Sector 27B, Chandigarh. In a press release it was stated that this class would be held daily from 4 am to 6 am. Play staged Children's Theatre Festival 'Parwaaz' concluded at St Kabir School with a play 'The Mother's Day'. Written by JB Priestly, the play was enacted before a houseful of audience. The play was a satire on status of a mother in a family. The play revolved around a mother, Annie Pearson, whose rights and contribution to the household were not recognised. Her neighbour, Mrs Fitzgerald, who was also a tarot reader and well versed in magic, came up with an excellent idea of swap their places. This emotional and realistic play was enhanced by excellent performances by Inayat Sood as Annie Pearson, Anushka Singh as Fitzgerald, Manahar Kumar as George Pearson and Vrinda Aggarwal as Doris. Delegation meets Pawan Bansal Senior functionaries of Chandigarh Beopar Mandal called on Pawan Bansal to felicitate him on becoming the new Union Railway Minister on Monday. The delegation consisted of Charan Jiv Singh, president, SatPal Gupta, chairman, Diwakar Sahoonja, chief patron, Gursharan Batra, senior vice-president, Sat Parkash Aggarwal, advisor, Kirpal Dogra, vice-president, Vinod Joshi, general secretary PR of Chandigarh Beopar Mandal. Satpal Gupta and Diwakar Sahoonja while felicitating him thanked Bansal for getting trader issues resolved gradually by finance department especially after law opinion by the administration about new building bylaws not to be applied retrospectively.
In order to promote importance and value of trees among the school students, a group, lead by two professionals, will organise a seminar at Sector 19-based gurudwara, on Tuesday. Hari Chakyar and Anthony Karbhari, two Mumbai-based professionals, will visit 35 states to promote the cause. "We have already visited nine places and the City Beautiful is the 10th place. Our main aim is to promote the importance of tress among the children," said the duo. HR summit Desh Bhagat University organised an industry-academia interface 'HR Summit-2012' at PHDCCI, Chandigarh, with a view to bridge the gap between industry academia in the current scenario. SS Channi, Director Technical Education Chandigarh, was the chief guest of the event. He said the interface "will not only help us to understand the industry requirement but also help institutions to equip their students with the skills required to achieve success in their professional life". PANCHKULA SCAN Training programme A trainer programme by Colonel Aalok Sood concluded here on Monday at Hotel Western Court, Panchkula. The trainerprogramme started on October 27 and continued till date. The participants were from all walks of life. They also belonged to different age groups, varying from 25-year-old trainer from Dehradun to 65-year-old retired top manager of pharma sector. The participants also included two enterprising housewives and experts of Art of Living. - Tribune Reporters
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Say no to crackers
this Divali
Chandigarh, November 5 Environment Society of India, an NGO, have plans to cover about 50 to 60 schools within next three to four days to create mass awareness on ill-effects of crackers. "Saying no to crackers doesn't mean going against celebrating Divali," said Sargun Kaur, a Class XII student of GMSSS-46 who was part of the anti-crackers rally in the school today. She said while crackers create pollution, it also leads to many accidents during Divali. People must opt for celebrating safe Divali. Harmi Sawarbal, another student, said air remain polluted for at least 3 to 4 days after Divali. It has detrimental effect on asthma and heart patients, besides other people. There must be some check on using crackers during Divali, she added. Officials of Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee said Divali in the city is often very noisy and leads to air pollution. For the past many years, the average noise pollution on Divali night remained between 70 to 90 db. Om Parkash, who has been organising anti-cracker functions in the city since 1997 and pledged hundreds of students against crackers, said, "It's difficult to convince people, especially the young generation, to not to use crackers. However, we are consistently promoting our cause of celebrating safe Divali." NK Jhingan, Secretary of Environment Society of India, Chandigarh branch, said that the anti-cracker campaign has its impact on the masses. "The young generation has responded very well in many of our rallies held last week. We have plans to cover more than 50 schools this Divali. A lot of public participation is expected," he said. Shakti Rana, a Class-XI student of Sector 45, who was part of one of the rallies held here today said he would not burst crackers this year and will make people aware about safe Divali. Rahul Gupta of NGO 'Global Enviorment Concern', Chandigarh, said the concept of community Divali can reduce the overall pollution during the festival. "We are promoting this cause for last many years and this year too we have a Divali fest planned two days before the festival," he said. Anti-crackers rallies were held today in schools, including GMSSS-37, GMSSS-44, GSSS-21, GSSS-Raipur Khurd, Divya Public School, Sector 44, St Joseph's-44, Government Model High School, Sector 36 and others. Meanwhile, government agencies (UT) will shortly issue public directions and enforcements during Divali. Santosh Kumar, director of Environment, UT, said there would be a complete ban on bursting crackers after 10 pm and the same will be informed to the people along with the other dos and don'ts.
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SFI protests Rs 6 hike in hostel mess charges
Chandigarh, November 5 While the hike was proposed by the Dean Student Welfare (DSW) three weeks ago, in view of the recent rise in the prices of LPG cylinders and other food items, the V-C approved of it last week. According to the officials, the revised rates will be considered as applicable from October 22 and the monthly bills of the hostel residents will be compiled in accordance. DSW Prof AS Ahluwalia had called a meeting with representatives of all the students' organisations in the university to discuss the matter and to finalise the revised cost. However, the students had walked out of the discussion. The cost per meal has been increased to Rs 30 from Rs 24 and that of special meal to Rs 33 from Rs 27 at all the 19 hostels in PU. In view of the consistent rise in the cost of vegetables, other basic food items and the recent hike in LPG cylinders prices, we proposed a hike in the cost of the meal, said Prof Ahluwalia. The party representatives opposed the proposal. The representatives of SFI said the increase in meal cost is "impractical" and "will not be supported by the parties." The students also blamed the authorities for failing to acquire subsidy on the LPG cylinders, which according to them, triggered the demand of hike in meal cost. This is not the first time that the students have opposed the hike in meal cost. Over the past one year, hike has been proposed on two different occasions. However, due to massive protests staged by the students, the hike had to be rolled back.
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'SOCH-2012' kicks off in style
Chandigarh, November 5 Day one of SOCH started with the event 'Lens War', a photography competition. The theme for the photo-feature was announced on the spot. The pictures clicked by each of the participants were displayed in the photo gallery. More than 1,000 students, both from the PU campus as well as from other colleges, visited the gallery today. A fashion show was organised at the Law Auditorium in the evening today. The fest was inaugurated by Prof AK Grover, Vice-Chancellor, who was also the chief guest for the event, along with other guests like KK Rattu, Director, Doordarshan, and Poonam Amrit Singh, Director, AIR.
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Vigilance Awareness Week The students of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Mani Majra, observed the Vigilance Awareness Week on the school premises here on Monday. Various activities like poster-making competition, debate competition was also organised. Mehndi competition A mehndi competition was organised in Government Middle School, Bapu Dham, Sector 26, on Monday. Students of various classes showcased designed forms of mehndi. Sayira, Nisha and Gayatri secured first three positions, respectively. Charity The DC Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 7, Panchkula, will organise a fete and will forward all profits as charity to Society for Disowned Humans and Animals. The fete will have stalls, managed by the students of the school, to inculcate the spirit of earning for charity. School principal BB Gupta will formally inaugurate the fete. Candle decoration In order to boost festive mood of Divali, the Doon International School, Sector 69, organised a diya and candle decoration activity for junior classes. The students participated with great zeal. Dance event The students of St Soldier International School, Sector 28, organised a special performance of classical dance, western dance, guitar and Casio, here on Monday. A total of 51 dancers from various classes participated in the event. Anti-cracker rally The NSS volunteers of Government Senior Secondary School, Mani Majra, organised an anti-cracker rally. The rally was flagged off by principal Manita. The rally carried the message of 'No Use of Crackers' among all sections of society. Motivational assembly The 4th Motivational Assembly for teachers and students was held at AKSIPS Smart School, Phase XI, Mohali, on Monday. The students were felicitated for their excellence in dramatics. Ill-effects of fire crackers The Sharda Sarvhitkari School, Sector 40, organised an anti-crackers rally here on Monday. Various events were organised on the school campus to create awareness about the ill-effects of fire crackers. The campaign started with an oath taking ceremony and the rally was flagged off by Principal BS Kanwar. Educational trip The AKSIPS, Sector 41, will organise an educational trip to Botanical Garden, Khuda Lahora, for the students of Class VIII and IX as a part of CCE activity. - TNS
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Chandigarh, November 5
Chandigarh, November 5
Seminar on plantation
